EP4108487A1 - An air conditioning unit with a film-shaped distribution flap - Google Patents

An air conditioning unit with a film-shaped distribution flap Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4108487A1
EP4108487A1 EP22179839.0A EP22179839A EP4108487A1 EP 4108487 A1 EP4108487 A1 EP 4108487A1 EP 22179839 A EP22179839 A EP 22179839A EP 4108487 A1 EP4108487 A1 EP 4108487A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
housing
air distribution
array
film
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22179839.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrea Carbone
Luca CREPALDI
Paolo SEJA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Denso Thermal Systems SpA
Original Assignee
Denso Thermal Systems SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Denso Thermal Systems SpA filed Critical Denso Thermal Systems SpA
Publication of EP4108487A1 publication Critical patent/EP4108487A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00507—Details, e.g. mounting arrangements, desaeration devices
    • B60H1/00514—Details of air conditioning housings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
    • B60H1/00664—Construction or arrangement of damper doors
    • B60H1/00692—Damper doors moved by translation, e.g. curtain doors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
    • B60H1/00664—Construction or arrangement of damper doors
    • B60H2001/00728—Film doors

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to systems which are used in vehicles to distribute the air treated by an air conditioning unit between the various outlets positioned on a dashboard or more generally inside a cabin of the vehicle.
  • These systems generally comprise a set of pipes designed to connect the air conditioning unit to the various outlets distributed inside the cabin.
  • the air distribution pipes are associated with flaps or similar shut-off devices for managing the distribution of the air between the various pipes.
  • the geometry of the air distribution pipes is defined by the car manufacturer more or less specifically for each single model. The manufacturer of the air conditioning unit, meanwhile, creates a unit that is designed to work with the specific distribution geometry required by the vehicle manufacturer.
  • EP3741594A1 proposes a solution based on flexible pipes that makes it possible to increase the versatility of the air conditioning unit. This known solution also makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly operations, as well as reduce the manufacturing costs and the overall packaging dimensions.
  • One aim of the invention is to provide an alternative means of managing the distribution of the air, with a reduced number of parts and therefore assembly operations.
  • an air conditioning unit comprising
  • the invention it is therefore possible, using a single flap, to manage the switching of the air flow between various air distribution outlets, by adjusting the position of the openings made in the film of the flap with respect to the air distribution outlets. If said openings also have different widths, it is also possible to modulate the quantity of air directed to the various air distribution outlets.
  • the unit may also comprise an array of heating elements which are controllable independently of each other, said array of heating elements being placed at the array of air distribution outlets.
  • the unit also comprises a blower and an air supply duct which are connected to said housing, said air supply duct having an upstream end joined to the blower and a downstream end joined to the housing, wherein said air supply duct is formed as a bag comprising an envelope made of flexible and inflatable material.
  • each of said air distribution pipes is flexible.
  • each of said air distribution pipes may have a structure which may be extended and contracted along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, between a maximum retraction condition and a maximum extension condition.
  • said structure may comprise an envelope wall and a reinforcement core which extends helically about the longitudinal axis of the pipe.
  • coupling means may also be provided for locking the air distribution pipe in the maximum retraction condition, said coupling means being releasable or removable.
  • FIG. 10 An air conditioning unit, denoted by reference sign 10, is shown schematically in the figures.
  • Reference sign 11 is used to denote a housing for containing the air conditioning unit, which housing is generally made of a rigid plastics material.
  • One or more passages for transporting the air treated by the air conditioning unit are formed within the housing 11.
  • Fig. 8 shows three air passages, specifically two passages for transporting cold air, denoted by 12, and a passage for transporting hot air, denoted by 13.
  • a heating mass, denoted by 14 is arranged inside the passage 13 for transporting hot air.
  • the air transport passages flow into a mixing chamber 19.
  • Other conventional devices for treating air may be present in the air conditioning unit, for example an evaporator or filters (not shown).
  • Movable members for example flaps 18, may also conventionally be present in the unit, which members may be controlled to switch the air between different pipes.
  • a blower 17 (shown in Fig. 1 ) is also conventionally associated with the unit, which blower is designed to generate an air flow within the pipes 12, 13 of the air conditioning unit 10. This blower 17 is fluidically connected to the housing 11 in the manner described in the following.
  • the air conditioning unit 10 also comprises an array of air distribution outlets 21a, 21b, 21c which are fluidically connected to the air transport passages 12 and 13, in particular to the mixing chamber 19.
  • the array of air distribution ducts 21a, 21b, 21c is formed on a wall 11a of the housing 11.
  • the switching of the air flow between the various air distribution outlets 21a-c is managed by a film flap, which will be described in greater detail in the following.
  • a plurality of air distribution pipes 23, 24, 25 are respectively joined to the air distribution outlets 21a, 21b, 21c and are configured to be connected to respective air outlets D, V, F for distributing air within a cabin of a vehicle.
  • the air outlet denoted by D may be a defrost air outlet which is dedicated to defrosting/demisting the windshield and positioned on the top part of the dashboard below the windshield
  • the air outlet denoted by V may be a front ventilation air outlet positioned on the dashboard in front of the front seats
  • the air outlet denoted by F may be a feet ventilation air outlet positioned at the bottom in the cabin.
  • the number and arrangement of air outlets and therefore pipes may be different from that described herein.
  • Each of the air distribution pipes 23-25 is made of a flexible material and has a structure which may be extended and contracted along the longitudinal axis x of the pipe, between a maximum retraction condition (shown in Fig. 3 ) and a maximum extension condition (shown in Fig. 4 ).
  • the distribution pipes 23-25 may be multilayer pipes.
  • the air distribution pipes may comprise a layer formed by a fabric or by a weave of fibers or threads.
  • the distribution pipes may comprise a reinforcement, for example metal wire or fiber, which is immersed in a matrix that forms the wall of the pipe or is coupled to the wall of the pipe.
  • the structure of the pipe 23-25 comprises an envelope wall 23-25a and a reinforcement core 23-25b which extends helically about the longitudinal axis of the pipe.
  • the choice and arrangement of the materials used and/or the geometric and structural configuration of the pipe to be such as to prevent the walls of the pipe from being able to collapse at the bends in the pipe, and also such as to prevent wall noise when the air flow flows through the pipe.
  • each flexible pipe may be fixed to the particular air outlet in a manner known per se, for example by means of an elastic ring, a clamp or a clip.
  • Coupling means are preferably provided for locking the air distribution pipe 23-25 in the maximum retraction condition. This arrangement allows for the air conditioning unit to be handled and transported.
  • the coupling devices have to be releasable or removable in order to allow the air distribution pipes 23-25 to be stretched out to allow them to connect to the respective air outlets, when the air conditioning unit is installed inside a vehicle.
  • the coupling device comprises a rigid rod 26 that has a proximal end fixed to the air distribution outlet 21a-c to which the air distribution pipe 23-25 is joined, and a retaining element 27 that is fixed to a distal end of the rod 26 and is arranged so as to be engaged by the distal end of the air distribution pipe 23-25 in order to hold the pipe in the maximum retraction condition and prevent it from extending.
  • the coupling device may be broken or even removed by the installer.
  • the coupling device may be arranged on the air distribution pipe.
  • Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment which comprises an array of heating elements 40 instead of the heating mass 14 which was provided in the embodiment in Fig. 8 .
  • the heating elements 40 are positioned at the array of air distribution outlets 21a-21c and are controllable independently of each other.
  • the heating elements 40 may be electrical resistance heating elements, for example positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements.
  • PTC positive temperature coefficient
  • the type of technology used for the heating elements is not essential to the purposes of the invention.
  • the heating elements 40 may be arranged so as to form a two-dimensional or onedimensional matrix.
  • the array of heating elements 40 is placed in front, i.e. upstream, of the proximal ends of the distribution pipes 23-25 joined to the air distribution outlets 21a-21c.
  • the air conditioning unit 10 connected upstream of the distribution pipes 23-25 may be simplified by comparison with conventional units.
  • the unit may not have any heaters in its interior, and therefore may not have any dedicated channels or flaps for switching the air between the various channels, either.
  • the evaporator (not shown) is provided in the air conditioning unit in Fig. 9 .
  • the unit 10 therefore has a more compact layout by comparison with conventional units.
  • the air always passes through the single heaters 40, and controlling these heaters sets the desired temperature specifically for each of the outlet ducts 23-25.
  • This selection imposes an additional delta P in the case of maximum cold ventilation flow, but the described configuration, which is provided with flexible pipes and does not need additional guards, shafts or air guides, has a total pressure drop which is nevertheless advantageous over the conventional solutions in use.
  • the temperature is controlled independently for each outlet also makes it easier to achieve temperature control linearity and stratification performance (temperature difference between different outlets, required for comfort).
  • the performance level is much higher than that of classic modules, in that it is no longer necessary to accept compromises with respect to the specification.
  • the air flow which reaches the mixing chamber 19 is switched by means of a film flap, denoted by reference sign 50.
  • the flap 50 comprises a film 51 which is made of a flexible material and has side edges 51a, 51b and a plurality of openings 52, 53 arranged between the side edges 51a, 51b.
  • the flap 50 is supported by the housing 11 of the air conditioning unit, for example by means of guides or a support frame, in such a way as to extend through the array of air distribution outlets 21a-21c.
  • the side edges of the film 51 of the flap 50 are arranged in and are capable of sliding along respective guide grooves 57a, 57b which are formed in side walls of the housing 11 and delimited at the front by the wall 11a in which the air distribution openings 21a-21c are formed.
  • the guide grooves 57a, 57b therefore run along said wall 11a.
  • a rack 54 (preferably more than one rack) is also provided, which rack extends along the film 51 and has teeth arranged along said rack, and a toothed wheel 55 (preferably more than one toothed wheel) is also provided, which toothed wheel is rotatably supported by the housing 11 of the air conditioning unit in order to rotate about an axis and engages the teeth of the rack 54 in order to linearly move the rack 54 and the film 51.
  • the rack 54 is formed as a single flexible piece with the film 51, and fits against the wall 11a of the housing 11 on which the array of air distribution outlets 21a-21c is formed, in such a way as to assume the profile of the wall 11a. In other words, the rack 54 and the film 51 conform to the profile of the wall 11a.
  • a gasket layer 56 for example made of elastomeric or expanded material, is also provided, which gasket layer is fixed to the wall 11a of the housing 11.
  • the gasket layer may be, for example, made of polyurethane with a surface coating of nylon fibers, in order to guarantee strength and reliability.
  • the windows in the gasket layer 56 are preferably formed in this layer before it is fixed to the wall 11a, when this layer is still flat; the gasket layer is therefore virtually free of defects in shape.
  • the film 51 of the flap 50 rests against the gasket layer 56, in a condition of constant compression ensured by the manner in which the film 51 is mounted (guides and optional support frames).
  • the flap 50 is flat and is therefore adapted to the shape of the wall 11a, this guarantees a constant preload toward the gasket layer 56. This allows optimal sealing with respect to air losses, and prevents the flap from vibrating/juddering.
  • flap described above may be applied to conventional air conditioning units, or to an air conditioning unit provided with flexible air distribution pipes such as those described in EP3741594A1 .
  • the blower 17 is connected to the housing 11 of the air conditioning unit via a supply duct 60.
  • the air supply duct 60 has an upstream end 61 joined to the blower 17 and a downstream end 62 joined to the housing 11 of the air conditioning unit.
  • the air supply duct 60 is formed as a bag comprising an envelope made of flexible and inflatable material, for example cloth.
  • the air conditioning unit is generally installed in proximity to a firewall which separates the engine compartment from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
  • the flexible and inflatable air supply duct 60 therefore makes it possible to manage the technical ports between the air conditioning unit and the firewall, optionally also allowing contact with the latter, without detriment to the flow of air that may be transported by the duct. It also allows greater flexibility in terms of the positioning of the blower, as well as a reduction in the overall weight of the air conditioning unit.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Duct Arrangements (AREA)
EP22179839.0A 2021-06-21 2022-06-20 An air conditioning unit with a film-shaped distribution flap Pending EP4108487A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000016133A IT202100016133A1 (it) 2021-06-21 2021-06-21 Gruppo di climatizzazione con portella di distribuzione a film

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4108487A1 true EP4108487A1 (en) 2022-12-28

Family

ID=77801949

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22179839.0A Pending EP4108487A1 (en) 2021-06-21 2022-06-20 An air conditioning unit with a film-shaped distribution flap

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4108487A1 (it)
IT (1) IT202100016133A1 (it)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6688964B2 (en) * 2002-03-11 2004-02-10 Denso Corporation Air passage opening/closing device and vehicle air conditioner using the same
DE10351064A1 (de) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-19 Sanden Corp., Isesaki Fahrzeugklimaanlage
US20060046633A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-02 Goupil Gerald M Jr Sliding valve
US20060222346A1 (en) * 2002-04-11 2006-10-05 Frederic Pierron Electric heating device, in particular for a vehicle heating and heating and/or air-conditioning apparatus
KR20130066861A (ko) * 2011-12-13 2013-06-21 한라비스테온공조 주식회사 차량용 공조장치
KR101449955B1 (ko) * 2011-12-14 2014-10-14 한라비스테온공조 주식회사 차량용 공조장치
FR3085626A1 (fr) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-13 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Boitier pour dispositif de chauffage, ventilation et/ou climatisation d'un vehicule automobile
EP3741594A1 (en) 2019-05-22 2020-11-25 DENSO THERMAL SYSTEMS S.p.A. An air distribution arrangement with inflatable pipes for an air conditioning unit

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6688964B2 (en) * 2002-03-11 2004-02-10 Denso Corporation Air passage opening/closing device and vehicle air conditioner using the same
US20060222346A1 (en) * 2002-04-11 2006-10-05 Frederic Pierron Electric heating device, in particular for a vehicle heating and heating and/or air-conditioning apparatus
DE10351064A1 (de) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-19 Sanden Corp., Isesaki Fahrzeugklimaanlage
US20060046633A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-02 Goupil Gerald M Jr Sliding valve
KR20130066861A (ko) * 2011-12-13 2013-06-21 한라비스테온공조 주식회사 차량용 공조장치
KR101449955B1 (ko) * 2011-12-14 2014-10-14 한라비스테온공조 주식회사 차량용 공조장치
FR3085626A1 (fr) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-13 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Boitier pour dispositif de chauffage, ventilation et/ou climatisation d'un vehicule automobile
EP3741594A1 (en) 2019-05-22 2020-11-25 DENSO THERMAL SYSTEMS S.p.A. An air distribution arrangement with inflatable pipes for an air conditioning unit
US20200369112A1 (en) * 2019-05-22 2020-11-26 Denso Thermal Systems S.P.A. Air distribution arrangement with inflatable pipes for an air conditioning unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202100016133A1 (it) 2022-12-21

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